Guilty plea in theft of $600k from Lee Memorial

LEE COUNTY: A Cape Coral woman accused of stealing more than half a million dollars from Lee Memorial Health System accepted a pleaded guilty in court Monday. She accepted a plea deal and the state dropped money laundering charges.

Melody McClintock was shielded by her attorney and tried to hide her face from the cameras.

McClintock and her late husband stole more $600,000 from Lee Memorial Heath Systems. The two owned a nurse recruiting business but instead of hiring nurses for the hospital they were writing up fake paperwork and pocketing the money.

Prosecutors say she spent the money on gifts, a second home, and personal watercraft.

The theft was discovered during an audit.

Family and friends supported McClintock in court, but declined to talk to us after the hearing.

McClintock's husband was also charged, but he committed suicide in 2009.

Sentencing is set for March. If the judge follows the terms of the plea deal she will serve 2 years in prison and be on probation for 18 years.

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